If a laser beam is a focused beam of light, then how does some of it find its way into my eyes? On the other hand, if I’m seeing it the way I see everything else, does that mean photons are bouncing off of it into my eyes? Do photons bounce off photons?
In: Technology
Hi /u/UnadvisedOpinion!
If someone used a laser-pointer in a boundless vacuum, you wouldn’t be able to see it (unless it was shining directly into your eyes).
The reason why you can follow a laser pointer pointing at a wall is, that the photons are reflected *by the wall* into all directions. Therefore, some of the photons originally emitted by the laser get reflected into your eye which makes it possible for you to see it.
>Do photons bounce off photons?
No, photons do not interact with each other except in [very specific circumstances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair_production).
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